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The 2016-2017 proceeding of the Tongan Parliament has a “soft”, and very brief closing ceremony this morning. A message from HM King Tupou VI was read by Prince Tungi, who was accompanied by Lord Luani and Lord Fakatulolo.

One of the biggest challenges facing the Fiji Sugar Corporation is its annual operating cost of about $50 million [US$24 million]. This, combined with the decrepit state of parts of the 720 kilometre rail network and $31.7m [US$15.3 million] loss last year, will give incoming CEO Graham Clark and chief operating officer Navin Chandra some of their biggest challenges as they work towards developing the blueprint for a revised strategic development plan.

Two adults and a six-year-old child have rescued by a fishing vessel this week south-east of Honiara afterdrifting at sea for two weeks. The three are from Malau Paina, Three Sisters Island, in Makira/Ulawa Province. A Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources compliance officer told the Solomon Star thetrio were rescued by a purse seine fishing vessel FV Hanara, which was fishing within the country’s waters.

Certain considerations could be made in granting the request of Imperial Pacific International CNMI LLC to amend the casino license agreement to extend the implementation of deadlines, according to Rep. Joseph P. Deleon Guerrero (R-Saipan). Deleon Guerrero, the House Gaming Committee chairman, said it is clear that IPI is working around the clock to finish its multimillion-dollar project.

Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga has called on the Trump Administration and the U.S. Congress to be mindful that small economies such as those of American Samoa and other U.S. territories “cannot afford any reduction in Medicaid” funding. Lolo made the call in his written official address distributed at last Friday’s annual meeting of the federal Interagency Group on Insular Areas (IGIA) in Washington D.C. where the governor also made an oral presentation. The meeting focused on health care and debt service priorities.

Chief Viraleo who is also referred to as “Leader of Kastom Stet Gavman”, announced the founding of “Global Harmonious City” stretching along the northeast of Pentecost between Hingon Gumwina in Turaga Nation to Nakonkilan at the border of Lovini Nation. The Head of the East Pentecost based Melanesian Global Institute at Lavatmagemu, has called on “nakamals” and “ethnic nations throughout the ‘kastom stet’ of Vanuatu”, to consider setting up towns and cities wherever possible, to safeguard the principles of self-determination in a truly sovereign state.

A stern response has been issued by the Office of the Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna about what a local shipping company owner believes was the reason for his new shipping running aground on Nassau reef in January this year. In an emailed statement to the Cook Islands News, the Office stated it was "highly irresponsible" of Taio Shipping owner Tapi Taio to make public comments about what he thought caused the reefing of Moana Nui".

A Superior Court of Guam jury on Thursday found former Guam police officer Mark Torre Jr. guilty of negligent homicide in the 2015 shooting death of police officer Sgt. Elbert Piolo. Torre, 32, was acquitted of the more serious charges of murder and manslaughter. Prosecutors said Torre drunkenly shot Piolo and charged Torre with murder, manslaughter, negligent homicide and aggravated assault. The defense argued Piolo was distraught over an extramarital affair and shot himself as Torre tried to stop him.

A Russian company has agreed to launch Papua New Guinea’s first satellite launch facility in New Ireland Province. New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan said yesterday that the provincial government was having discussions with the Russians who have formed an international consortium for the spaceport. "The region’s momentous satellite launch facility is alive. We are still in discussions with the Russians. We were supposed to fund their travel to New Ireland but have not done so due to funding issues," Sir Julius said when speaking on the impact project he announced two years ago.

Landlords across the Western Division want the rent freeze order lifted. During consultations on the draft landlord and tenant act 2017, homeowners called on the Fiji Commerce Commission to remove the rent freeze order for a justified return on their investments. Sanctioned in March 2, 2007, the rent freeze disallowed a landlord to increase rent price despite making upgrades to rented properties.

Pacific Islands Report is a nonprofit news publication of the Pacific Islands Development Program at the East-West Center in Honolulu, Hawai‘i. Offered as a free service to readers, PIR provides an edited digest of news, commentary and analysis from across the Pacific Islands region, Monday - Friday.